Adequate Stimulus
Sensory receptor are specialized to respond to certain types of stimuli. The adequate stimulus is the amount and type of energy required to stimulate a specific sensory organ[1]. Many of the sensory stimuli are categorized by the mechanics by which they are able to function and their purpose. Sensory receptors are present all throughout the body, and they take a certain amount of a stimulus to trigger these receptors. The use of these sensory receptors allows the brain to interpret the signals to the body which allow a person to respond to the stimulus if the stimulus is adequate enough to signal the brain. The sensory receptors will activate the sensory transduction system which will in turn send an electrical or chemical stimulus to a cell, and the cell will then respond with electrical signals to the brain which were produced from action potentials [2]. The minuscule signals, which result from the stimuli, enter the cells must be amplified and turned into an sufficient signal that will be sent to the brain[3].
Categorizations of receptors
editVisual-These are found in the visual organs of species and are responsive to stimuli such as light and often consist of light sensitive molecules that enable certain species to have the ability to see the world in with they live[4].
Olfaction- These types of receptor sense are activated in order to sense the external molecules that enter the nasal organ and attach to the receptors which will interpret the stimuli and send the signal containing information about the stimuli to the brain[5].
Auditory- These types of receptors are often found with in the organs used to hear and are responsive to vibrations within the surrounding areas, and they often allow their owners to understand information about sound waves traveling through the aid[6].
Vestibular- These types of receptors are usually found within organs used to hear, and they aid in the detection of movement that surrounds the creature using it[7].
Gustatory- These sensory receptors are present within the mouth and are responsive to the molecular stimuli that enter the mouth[8]. The receptors in the mouth typically fall into two of the following categories: receptors that are responsive to specific chemicals and receptors that are responsive to particles such as hydrogen ions, which are charged[9].
Tactile- These types of receptors are normally present within the skin and are able to respond to stimulation such as heat, pressure,and movement [10]
Examples of Sensory Receptors
editBaroreceptors - These are receptors which monitor the flow of blood in the body, and the transfer of this information to the brain.
Nociceptor- These are stimulus that are responsive to the stimuli that signal potential damage to the body[11].
Photoreceptors- These are receptors that are responsive to light that enters the eye and produces the visual stimuli that many animals use to function. [12]
Mechanoreceptors- These are receptors that are responsive to physical stimulation such as movement, vibration, and stress. [13]
Thermoreceptors- These are types of receptors that are present within the skin and monitor any changes in the skins temperature[14]
Classic Examples of Absolute Threshold
editIn 1962, Eugene Galanter, a psychologist, tested stimuli till people were able to feel them approximately 50% of the time, then used these as examples of absolute threshold [15]
Visual- On a clear, dark night a candle can be seen from approximately 30 miles away[16].
Olfactory- A person can smell a single drop of perfume after it has diffused into 3 rooms [17].
Auditory- In a silent area, a person can hear a watch tick from approximately 20 feet[18].
Vestibular- A person is able to tell of a tilt that when on a clock face is seen to be less than half a minute [19].
Gustatory- A person can taste a single teaspoon of sugar which is diluted in 2 gallons of water[20].
Tactile- A person can feel a fly's wing dropped from 3 feet above them falling onto their cheek [21].
Notes
edit- ^ Frings, 2012, p. 7
- ^ Frings, 2012, p. 7
- ^ Frings, 2012, p. 8
- ^ Frings, 2012, p. 14
- ^ Wolfe 2015, 427-429
- ^ Frings 2012, p. 10-11
- ^ Frings, 2012, p. 10-11
- ^ Wolfe 2015, p. 471
- ^ Wolfe 2015, p. 392
- ^ Walker 2008, p. 46
- ^ Walker 2008, p. 47
- ^ Frings 2012, p. 14
- ^ Wolfe 2015, p. 392
- ^ Wolfe 2015, p. 394
- ^ Hockenbury 2010 , p. 92
- ^ Wolfe 2015, p. 7
- ^ Wolfe 2015, p. 7
- ^ Wolfe 2015, p. 7
- ^ Wolfe 2015, p. 7
- ^ Wolfe 2015, p. 7
- ^ Wolfe 2015, p. 7
References
edit- ^ Frings, Stephan (2012). Sensory Perception:Mind and Matter. Springer Link: Springer Vienna. pp. 5–21. ISBN 978-3211997505.
- ^ Hockenbury, Don H Hockenbury, Sandra E. (2010). Psychology (5th ed. ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers. ISBN 978-1429201438.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Walker, Richard (2008). Firefly guide to the human body (Rev. ed. ed.). Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. ISBN 1552978796.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help) - ^ Wolfe, Jermy M.; Kluender, Keith R.; Levi, Dennis M. (2015). Sensation and Perception (fourth ed.). Sunderland, Massachusetts U.S.A.: Sinauer Associates, Inc. ISBN 978-1605352114.
{{cite book}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help)